A dynamic entrepreneur and community advocate has made quite a name for himself in the short time he has lived in Collingwood. 

From growing up in the small town of Paris, Ontario, to becoming the driving force behind Tenure, a revolutionary employee rewards and recognition platform, Jonathan Hillis’ path has been marked by his passion for sports, a deep sense of community, and a drive to make a positive impact on people's lives.

“I get up every day excited to help people,” said Jonathan. “It’s as simple as that.”

From a young age, Jonathan recognized the value of a tight-knit community, but his ambition led him to venture out and explore what was beyond. A volleyball scholarship brought him briefly to Saskatchewan before he moved to London, Ontario and eventually downtown Toronto. 

Later, the allure of a more settled life brought him to the Burlington area, where he started a family and began his career.

When the pandemic hit, instead of taking their usual trips to the United States, Jonathan and his wife decided to invest in a place in Blue Mountain. His wife had enjoyed skiing as a child and wanted their kids to learn, so Jonathan hopped on the bandwagon.

“I learned to ski when the kids learned to ski. It was a quick learning experience for sure,” he laughed. 

He developed a newfound love for skiing and ski racing, and their family began to spend a lot of their time up north. However, the constant back-and-forth left him feeling unsettled. 

One night, while in their Blue Mountain home, Jonathan and his wife were chatting in the hot tub. By the time they got out, they had decided to permanently move up north. 

“It’s one of those things. If you grow up in a small community, you want to get out of there. Then all of a sudden you get older and want to get back to that community feel,” he said. That became a reality in the summer of 2022.  

Jonathan's return to a smaller community brought a desire to give back and get involved. He quickly immersed himself in local initiatives, seeking opportunities to make a positive impact.

“It’s been incredible so far, it was the best decision we made for our family and for my business,” he said.

In terms of his business, Jonathan's journey has been as diverse as his interests. 

As a kid, Jonathan played all kinds of sports, with volleyball being a standout. As he grew older and got involved in coaching, it was natural for him to consider it as a potential career path. He became a full-time volleyball coach at Sheridan and later at Mohawk College, however, he soon realized that coaching in Canada posed significant financial challenges.

“Canadian sports are just too far behind,” he said.  

So, having grown up in a family-run business, he decided to shift his focus to the business world. 

“Growing up in that environment, I always asked the question: ‘how can we improve things?’” he said. Little did he know, this question would plant the seed for his future entrepreneurial endeavours.

During his last year in college, Jonathan immersed himself into student politics, where he focused on promoting sports and creating a sense of community around athletics. His ability to fill stadiums and generate enthusiasm for sports events showcased his talent for bringing people together.

At the same time, he developed a passion for the political aspect of student affairs and fostered strong relationships with the school’s administration. This experience led him to various roles after graduation, becoming the president of the student union before working in student health insurance. 

The pivotal moment in Jonathan's career came when he identified a connection between financial stress and mental health issues among students. “A lightbulb went off,” he said. 

Jonathan created Payd, a venture aimed at helping students save and pay for their education while alleviating the financial burdens that often lead to anxiety and depression.

As Payd evolved, Jonathan's vision expanded, and he recognized that addressing financial stress wasn't limited to the student community — it had the potential to transform workplaces as well. 

This realization gave rise to Tenure, Jonathan's latest venture and perhaps his most ambitious yet. 

Tenure is an employee rewards and recognition platform that challenges traditional approaches. While most programs focus on spending, Jonathan created Tenure to emphasize saving. His motto, "reward the good, often," sums up the company’s core mission. It means moving away from occasional recognition, often done via gift cards or year-end bonuses, and embracing a culture of regularly appreciating employees. Through the platform, employees can set financial goals and employers can contribute as they see fit. 

Jonathan said this personalized approach not only enhances employee well-being but also fosters a deeper connection between employers and their teams.

“Employers are looking to reward and recognize employees in a more personalized way and our platform can provide the information to do that in a secure manner,” he said. 

Tenure hit the ground running in April 2023 and in a few short months, Jonathan expanded his team from just him to a team of eight. 

“It's been an absolute roller coaster speedway so far,” he said. “But the traction is there and it makes us just want to work more and execute more.”

With a fundraising round in full swing and a fall launch in the pipeline, Jonathan strongly believes in Tenure’s ability to revolutionize how employees are acknowledged and supported. “The solution is so simple and so obvious that I am dumbfounded that this doesn’t exist yet,” he said. 

Beyond work, Jonathan remains actively engaged in his community, where he's already made significant contributions in one short year. He founded the Collingwood Volleyball Club, promoting sports and teamwork among local youth and adults. His commitment extends to various youth sports projects and initiatives, demonstrating his dedication to making a positive impact no matter what. 

“Moving up here, I knew there would be so many opportunities to get involved, meet people, give back and see how I could help the community grow,” he said.